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Monday, 6 May 2013

In memories of Swami Turiyananda

ॐ
वीरेश्वराय विद्महे विवेकानन्दाय धीमहि ।
तन्नो वीर: प्रचोदयात् ।

Sri Ramakrishna did not allow everybody to practice the
nondual aspect of meditation. What good is it to proclaim that
you are one with the Absolute unless the universe has vanished
from your consciousness? Sri Ramakrishna used to say: ‘You may
say that there is no thorn, but put your hand out—the thorn
will prick, and your hand will bleed.’ But with regard to
Swamiji, Sri Ramakrishna said, ‘If Naren says that there is no
thorn, there is no thorn; and if he puts out his hand no thorn
would prick it, because he has experienced his unity with
Brahman.” When Swamiji used to say, ‘I am He,’ he said so from
his direct perception of the Absolute. His mind was not
identified with his physical self.

At the Baranagore Monastery we used to study scriptures and
philosophy a lot. Swami Abhedananda particularly engaged
himself in much study. Swamiji did too and also meditated many
hours. We all practiced great austerities. Sri Ramakrishna
made us do it. Then we attained the bliss of liberation while
living through the Master’s grace. Free as the air we have
lived—depending on none, feeling no lack, without cravings,
fearless! Yes, we know the joy of liberation! We used to
wander from place to place, depending entirely on the Lord. We
would beg for alms when we were very hungry. Wherever it got
dark we made our home. What freedom!

Swami Abhedananda used to avoid all types of work. He would
shut himself in a room and engage himself in study and
meditation. He used to say that he did not wish to work.
Sometimes he would observe complete silence and not talk for
days on end. Some of us used to be angry with him for that.
But Swamiji said: ‘You people are jealous! You can’t bear that
somebody is doing something to improve himself. He is not
lazily idling his time away. What if he doesn’t work! Never
mind, you don’t have to work either! I’ll do everything!’

Swamiji said at one time: ‘As long as you have been born on
this earth, leave an impression on it.’ At the Baranagore Math
he remarked: ‘Our names will be recorded in history!’ Swami
Yogananda and some other brother-disciples made fun of him.
Swamiji retorted: ‘You will see if I am right or not! Vedanta
is the only religion convincing to all. If you don’t listen to
me, I will go to the quarter of the untouchables and teach
them Vedanta!’

In one of his letters Swamiji wrote: ‘When I go for alms, I
give people something in return.’ Give and take—that is the
motto for a monk. Monks who live only for themselves and don’t
even practice spiritual disciplines are impostors.